The following item was posted to a newsgroup dealing with FCC matters. I don't have anything to add - I'm simply reposting.
For those interested in copies of the FCC Part 15 (Radio Frequency Devices) and Part 18 (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment) regulations, go to the web address http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/index.html#page1 Try the search terms 47CFR15 AND "PART 15" and 47CFR18 AND "PART 18" ----------- begin pasted section ------------------- Archive-Name: gov/us/fed/nara/fed-register/1998/jun/25/63FR34618A Posting-number: Volume 63, Issue 122, Page 34618A [Federal Register: June 25, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 122)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 34618-34619] >From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr25jn98-41] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Parts 15 and 18 [ET Docket 98-80; FCC 98-102] Conducted Emission Limits AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice of Inquiry. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: By this Notice of Inquiry, the Commission is reviewing the conducted emission limits. This action is taken by the Commission, on its own motion, as part of an ongoing program of regulatory review. It is intended to examine whether these regulations continue to be necessary, and if so, whether any changes to the limits may be appropriate. DATES: Comments are due July 27, 1998. Reply comments are due August 10, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Engineering and Technology, Anthony Serafini at (202) 418-2456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice of Inquiry, ET Docket No. 98-80, adopted May 29, 1998 and released June 8, 1998. The full text of this decision is available for inspection and copying during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC. The complete text of this decision also may be purchased from the Commission's duplication contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., (202) 857-3800, 1231 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Summary of Notice of Inquiry 1. Many radio frequency devices obtain their electrical energy from the AC power line (i.e., 110 volt household electrical line). Such devices include personal computers, personal computer peripherals, TV and FM receivers, video cassette recorders, cordless telephone base stations, wireless security alarm systems, RF lighting devices, microwave ovens, induction cooking ranges and ultrasonic equipment. The radio [[Page 34619]] frequency energy that these devices generate can be conducted back onto the AC power line. The conducted radio frequency energy can cause interference to radio communications via two possible paths. First, the radio frequency energy may be carried along the electrical wiring to another device that is also connected to the electrical wiring. Second, the AC electrical wiring can act as an antenna to radiate signals over the airwaves. At frequencies below 30 MHz, where wavelengths are greater than 10 meters, the long stretches of electrical wiring can act as very efficient antennas. Further, the signals radiating onto the airwaves can cause interference to operations at considerable distances because propagation losses are low at these frequencies. 2. Parts 15 and 18 of the rules control the potential for such interference by limiting the levels of RF voltage that devices may conduct onto the AC power line. Part 15 of the Commission's rules specifies conducted emissions limits for radio frequency devices, including unintentional and intentional radiators. Part 18 specifies conducted emissions limits for industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment. Industrial, scientific and medical equipment is equipment or appliances designed to generate and use locally RF energy for industrial, scientific, medical, domestic or similar purposes, excluding applications in the field of telecommunication. Compliance is usually determined by connecting the device to a line impedance stabilization network, or LISN, which allows measurement of RF voltage under standard conditions. Most products are subject to conducted emissions limits that cover the frequency range 450 kHz to 30 MHz. The sole exception is induction cooking ranges, which are subject to conducted emissions limits beginning at 10 kHz because these products generate high levels of radio emissions at very low frequencies. 3. Certain devices or systems use carrier current techniques to deliberately couple RF energy to the AC electrical wiring for purposes of communication. Many AM campus radio systems use carrier current technology. Electrical utilities often use carrier current technology for monitoring and control of the electrical grid. A variety of devices intended for home use, such as intercom systems and remote controls for electrical appliances and lamps, also use carrier current technology. Interference from carrier current systems is controlled primarily by requiring compliance with radiated emissions limits. These standards provide system operators and equipment manufacturers the flexibility they need to adjust the signal levels they couple to the electrical wiring to take into account local variations, such as differences in impedance and layout of the wiring. Carrier current systems that contain their fundamental emission within the standard AM broadcast band of 535-1705 kHz and are intended to be received using standard AM broadcast receivers have no limit on conducted emissions. All other carrier current systems are subject to a conducted emission limit only within the AM broadcast band. 4. By this action, the Commission is reviewing the conducted emissions limits in Parts 15 and 18 of the Commission's rules. The conducted emissions limits control the levels of radio frequency (RF) voltage that equipment may conduct onto the (AC) power line. The purpose of these limits is to protect against interference to radio services operating below 30 MHz. The Commission is initiating this proceeding on its own motion as part of an ongoing program of regulatory review. The conducted emissions limits apply to a wide variety of products, including various consumer electronic devices and radio transmitters. We seek to examine whether these regulations continue to be necessary, and if so, whether any changes to the limits may be appropriate. In this regard, we seek information as to the costs of complying with these regulations. We are also interested in determining whether the regulations may impede new technologies. Further, we will examine our general regulations for carrier current systems. Upon review of the responses to this inquiry, we will determine whether to propose any changes to these regulations. Federal Communications Commission. William F. Caton, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 98-16628 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-F ----------- end pasted section ------------------- -- Patrick Lawler [email protected]
